Kidney Brothers Set for Separate ECHL Clubs in 2026-27

Brothers Liam and Riley Kidney have signed with different ECHL clubs for 2026-27. Liam, the older brother, is returning to the Cincinnati Cyclones, while Riley is returning to the Allen Americans. The clubs announced their deals on Sept. 9 and Sept. 3, respectively.

Liam, 25, joined Cincinnati after completing his college career at Acadia University last season. The forward had four goals and four assists in 19 games for the Cyclones. Cincinnati is the ECHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Riley, 23, played four postseason games for Allen last spring and recorded two goals and an assist. Allen is affiliated with the Ottawa Senators. When the Americans announced his signing, they said he would attend the Belleville Senators’ AHL training camp later in September. The camp opportunity is separate from his ECHL contract; Allen has not said he has earned a Belleville roster spot.

The brothers, both from the Enfield, Nova Scotia, area, previously played together with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan in junior hockey. They now enter the season in separate organizations.